    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [December 13, 2004]
    [Pages 3070-3071]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Nomination of Michael O. Leavitt To Be Secretary of Health and Human Services
    December 13, 2004

        The President. Thank you. Good morning. I am pleased to announce the
    nomination of Michael O. Leavitt as the Secretary of Health and Human
    Services. Last year I welcomed Mike to my Cabinet as the Administrator
    of the Environmental Protection Agency. In that office, he has enforced
    high standards and a spirit of cooperation and with good common sense.
    He has upheld this administration's commitment to sustain improvements
    in the quality of the natural environment. He has managed the EPA with
    skill and with a focus on results. I've come to know Mike as a fine
    executive, as a man of great compassion. He is an ideal choice to lead
    one of the largest departments of the United States Government.
        The Department of Health and Human Services touches the life of
    every person in this country. From the safety of our food and medicine
    to the Medicare program to preparing for any kind of health emergency,
    HHS has comprehensive responsibilities for the health of Americans. To
    meet those responsibilities, the Department needs many thousands of
    skilled professionals and a leader who is able to act on many fronts all
    at once.
        For the last 4 years, HHS has served the American people extremely
    well under the energetic leadership of Tommy Thompson. Early in his tenure, our Nation went on a wartime footing
    and had to prepare for emergencies of a kind never seen before.
    Secretary Thompson led the effort to prepare the medical infrastructure
    for any terrorist challenge.
        At the same time, he has presided over dramatic increases in medical
    research, adding to the promise of hopeful new cures. He's helped set in
    motion major improvements in Medicare, which will benefit seniors all
    across America. He has worked closely with State and local officials to
    ensure that public health programs function as effectively as possible.
    And throughout his career as Governor and as Secretary of Health and
    Human Services, Tommy Thompson has led
    efforts to reform welfare laws and to help more people transition from
    welfare to work. Tommy Thompson is a good friend who has given every day
    of the last 38 years to public service. As he and Sue Ann move on to new challenges, Tommy has my deep gratitude
    for a job well done.
        My new nominee for HHS Secretary, like Tommy Thompson, served many years as a Governor. The people of Utah
    elected Mike Leavitt to three terms, and during his administration, Utah
    was named one of the best managed State governments in the country.
    Governor Leavitt was a leader in welfare reform, resource management,
    and environmental stewardship. He improved child welfare services in the
    State and made strides toward expanding access to health care for
    children. He made government services more accessible through the
    Internet, and he always insisted that the government remain accountable
    to the people it serves.
        When confirmed by the Senate, Mike Leavitt will be charged with a
    broad agenda for the health and safety of the American people. In this
    new term, we will implement the first-ever prescription drug benefit for
    seniors under Medicare. We will expand Federal cooperation with faith-
    based groups that provide essential services, such as counseling and
    treatment for addictions. We will continue pursuing the great promise of
    medical research, always ensuring that the work is carried out with
    vigor and moral integrity. We will not relent in our efforts to protect
    the American people

    [[Page 3071]]

    from disease and the use of disease as a weapon against us.
        Mike Leavitt is the right leader to lead HHS in meeting all these
    vital commitments. I thank him for accepting this new responsibility. I
    also thank his wife, Jackie, and their
    son Westin for being with us today. I urge
    the Senate to confirm Governor Leavitt's nomination as soon as possible.
        Congratulations.

    [At this point, Secretary-designate Leavitt made brief remarks.]

        The President. Good job.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:38 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of Secretary-designate Leavitt. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.